Mustang Vollyballers Come Close, Fall Short

The Mustangs put up a strong fight against district-leading Clarke County Oct. 7, but ultimately fell in four sets. The George Mason High School volleyball team struck out on the right foot, claiming the first game 25-20, but slipped in the following frames 10-25, 21-25, 17-25 against the Eagles.

“This was a great team effort,” Head Coach Barb Mahony said. Sophomore Katie Mitchell had a record-high 27 hits and showed her versatility by stepping into a new position as setter, contributing to

Sabrina Whitney’s 14 spikes. Juniors Emma O’Hara and Pam Kryschtal each added two spikes. Defensively junior Christie Ankeney had 29 digs, followed by Annie Zweighaft’s 20. Brittany Head chipped in with 15 digs and Maddie Kaplow, in her first varsity start, logged 17.

Mahony noted the contributions of Sophia de Saint Aubin and Amanda Kjellkvist who came off the bench to serve and block. Tuesday the Mustangs lost another tight match in four sets, falling to Manassas Park 27-25, 25-19, 17-25, 25-17. Zweighaft had her best night ever according to Mahony, with 10 hits, 15 digs and two blocks.

Wednesday night the team lost again, this time to Rappahannock in its homecoming game, 27-29, 25-20, 25-15, 25-9. The Mustangs rallied to take the first set on the momentum of a big hit by Mitchell. Brittany Head and Ankeney both had serving runs that brought the team even with their opponent, while setters Whitney and Roxy Sweeney combined to enable hitters Zweighaft, Katie Turner and Mitchell to get the first win. But Rappahannock came back with 13 service aces to win the next three games. The team honored Pam Kryschtal and Sophia de St. Aubin before the game, as they will be moving out of the country following the season.